Combination sales promotional package



June 5, 1956 SEALS 2,748,527

COMBINATION SALES PROMOTIONAL PACKAGE Filed Oct. 29, 1952 United States Patent O COMBINATION SALES PROMOTIONAL PACKAGE Marguerite M. Seals, Long Beach, Calif. Application October 29, 1952, Serial No. 317,542

3 Claims. (Cl. 46-11) My invention relates to the field of packages, and more particularly to a combination sales promotional package embodying an amusement or educational device for children.

The successful commercialization and merchandising of a product is normally accomplished through advertising and promotion thereof, by which means the public is informed of its availability and advantages to be derived therefrom. Such sales promotional activities usually are directed not only to making the initial sale of the goods, but toward the establishment of a continuing demand therefor whereby a stable market is created.

Although adults may be persuaded to use a particular product by means of suitable sales promotional activities, normally in the form of visual or written material, such efforts have been found to have little or no results when the product is largely consumed by children. Furthermore, it has been found that while parents may be convinced of the desirability of a particular product for their childrens use, as for example a food supplement, the parents conviction in this matter may be weakened or defeated to the extent that the supplement is dispensed with if the children are reluctant or refuse to cooperate in taking it.

The primary purpose in devising my present invention is to provide a package in which a plurality of containers are disposed, each holding a food supplement or similar material desirable in the diet of a child, and embodying a movable element of an amusing or educational nature that may be actuated by the parent as an incentive or reward when the child consumes a portion of one or more of the materials disposed in the containers.

A major object of my invention is to furnish a compact, substantially rectangular package in which a plurality of containers may be stored, that by simple manual adjustment thereof may be transformed to simulate the appearance of a miniature theater.

Another object of my invention is to supply a package fabricated from semi-rigid sheet material in which the means used for reinforcing same not only removably support containers, but vertical laterally spaced rollers as well, between which a flexible strip may extend on which entertaining or educational material is reproduced.

A further object of my invention is to provide a package that may be used as a miniature theater, and one in which animated action may be presented when the flexible strip is caused to move longitudinally past a stage opening formed in said package by actuation of the rollers.

Yet another object of my invention is to furnish a package in which a plurality of containers may be shipped or stored, and adapted to be fabricated from standard commercially available inexpensive materials.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a device that may be used either as an original package for an edible childrens product, and/or as a premium to stimulate the sale and distribution thereof.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred form thereof, and from the drawing illustrating that form in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of my invention disposed in a position to simulate the appearance of a theater;

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the device;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the device with the cover tilted upwardly and forwardly;

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal cros-sectional view of the device taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3 and with one container removed; and,

Figure 5 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view of the package taken on line 55 of Figure 3.

Referring now to the drawing for the general arrange ment of my invention, it will be seen that it embodies a substantially rectangular box B having a cover T hinged to one of the upper longitudinal edges thereof, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The box B is preferably fabricated from a semi-rigid material such as cardboard or a heavy paper and folded into the desired shape. In the preferred form of the present invention, a rectangular elongate strip 10 is folded along a line 11 to provide a forwardly disposed side wall 12 of the desired height, and a bottom 13. A folding line 14 substantially parallel with 11 determines the rearward boundary of bottom 13 from which a rearwardly disposed side wall 15 slightly shorter in height than wall 12 extends upwardly.

Two identical rectangularly shaped end walls 16 are provided of substantially the same height as wall 12. By means of vertical folding lines 17 situated near the upwardly extending edge portions of walls 16, two elongated and oppositely disposed tabs 18 and two intermediately situated tabs 19 are provided on each wall 16. Tabs 18, as may best be seen in Figure 4, are preferably formed with downwardly and inwardly tapered edges 18a. In Figures 4 and 5 it will be seen that tabs 19 and the lower portions of tabs 18 are adhered to the interior end surfaces of the side walls 12 and 15 to hold them together and form box B.

Top T and the forward side wall 12 are preferably formed as an integral unit. A horizontal folding line 12a defines both the upper limit of side wall 12 and the forward boundary of the top T. The top includes two substantially rectangular members 20 and 21 defined by a longitudinally extending folding line 20a. As seen in Figures 1, 3 and 5, member 20 may occupy either an upwardly or rearwardly extending position, or a fiat closing position.

The member 21 has an outwardly extending centrally disposed ear or extension 22 which engages a downwardly extending substantially U-shaped cut-out segment 23 in the wall 15. Segment 23 is removably engaged by car 22 when top T is disposed in the peaked position shown in Figures 1 and 2. When in this last mentioned position, outward movement of top T is prevented by the lower edge end portions 21a thereof being situated behind tabs 1%, with downward movement of the top prevented by engagement of ear 22 in cut-out 23. When the top T is in the peaked position it cooperates with the box B to simulate the appearance of a miniature theater, as may best be seen in Figure 1. For shipping purposes, however, or for storage of products within box 13, the top T is disposed substantially parallel to the bottom 13, with the top portion 21 then extending downwardly over the major portion of the exterior surface of the rear side wall 15 and locked thereto by the removable engagement of ear 22 in a centrally disposed slot 24 formed in wall 15.

Two containers A and a bottle D containing a food supplement or other material are removably held in the desired position within box B by a rectangular member 26. As may be seen in Figures 3 and 4, member 26 has apertures 26a and 26b formed therein. Containers A snugly fit into apertures 26a and the bottle D occupies a like position in aperture 26b. Folding lines 27 and 28 are formed in member 26 that define two pairs of downwardly extending rectangular flanges 29 and 3%} respectively, and when member 26 is disposed within the lower confines of box B substantially parallel to bottom 13, the two pairs of flanges are bonded to the corresponding interior surfaces of the side and end walls of the box.

A second substantially rectangular container and bottle supporting member 31 that is parallel to member is positioned within the upper confines of box B and has two apertures 31a and an aperture 31b formed therein. Th two apertures 31a and aperture 311) are so located as to be in vertical alignment with apertures 26a and 25b respectively of member 26 when member 31 is properly positioned within box B. The member 31 is formed with two relatively short tongues 32 at each end thereof that hold the member in the desired position in box 8 by engagement with horizontally positioned slots formed in the upper portion of each end wall 16. Thus containers A cannot move laterally or longitudinally when they are disposed within apertures 25a and 31a and resting on the bottom 13 of box B. Likewise, the bottle D is firmly restrained from lateral and longitudinal movement when inserted within apertures 26b and 31b and resting on bottom 13.

Two elongate rollers 34 of a light-weight rigid construction are provided. Although the rollers may be fabricated from a variety of materials, it has been found that pine or other soft woods are most satisfactory for this purpose. End portions 34:: and 34b of the rollers 34 are rotatably supported in vertically aligned openings 26c and 310, which are formed in members 26 and 31 respectively and longitudinally spaced as best seen in Figure l, at opposite sides of the stage opening formed in side wall 12. As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the rollers 34 may be rotated by means of cranks 35 disposed on the upper ends thereof. Each crank 35 may be formed of wire of the desired length bent into a substantially Z- shaped configuration to provide two oppositely extending off-set portions. One oif-set portion serves as a handle 35b, and the other portion 35a is inserted into a downwardly extending bore 36 formed in the upper portion of the rollers.

In Figures 1, 3, and 4 it will be seen that a flexible strip 37 extends longitudinally across the forward portion of box B parallel to the forwardly disposed side wall 12, with the ends thereof being affixed to the rollers 34. An irregularly shaped opening 33 is formed in side wall 12 which is shaped to simulate that portion of a stage visible to an audience. The illusion of a stage is further augmented by painting or otherwise reproducing drawn curtains 40 and footlights 41 on the exterior surface of side wall 12 as shown in Figure l. A story may be presented in series by means of pictures 42, written material, and the like, on the exposed surface 43 of strip 37 which may be seen in sequence through stage opening 38. If desired, both sides of strip 37 may be utilized to present in pictorial series whereby two stories may be presented visually by simply reversing the strip on the rollers.

Rollers 34 serve a twofold purpose in that they permit the presentation of an animated story, and second, due to their rigid structure and the snugness with which they engage apertures 26c and 310, they cooperate with members 26 and 31 in reinforcing the box B against distortion at all times. When the box B is utilized in shipping of the materials in containers A and bottle D, it is desirable that a rectangular stiffener (not shown) be dis posed within the confines of the box or the exterior thereof to protect opening 38 and strip 37.

The manner in which the present invention may be used is extremely simple. After purchase of the combination package, the strip 37 is affixed to the rollers and extends longitudinally across the opening 38 whereby the pictorial story reproduced thereon may be visible (Figure 1). The top T is then disposed in the peaked position as previously described, causing the box B to assume the appearance of a theater. After the childs interest has been aroused upon viewing the device in this condition, the top T is pivoted to the open position and one of the cranks rotated to cause the strip 37 to move past opening 38, presenting the story thereon for the amusement or education of the child. it will be particularly noted that the containers A and bottle D may be either left in box B or removed therefrom when the device is in operation.

The parent utilizes the invention in much the same manner as any toy for the entertainment of a child, but primarily as an incentive to obtain cooperation from the child in taking the prescribed amounts of the materials in containers A and bottle D. T o obtain such cooperation, the parent preferably promises to present a story after the child has taken the necessary dosage, and if desired, may audibly elaborate on the visual story so presented. Although the representations 42. on strip 37 may be primarily for entertainment purposes, it is possible to incorporate educational material therein in the desired degree such as the alphabet, numbers, the telling of time, and other information of a like nature. Thus my invention is not only a compact merchandising package for containers, but provides an amusement or educational device for children.

While my invention is capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned, it is to be understood that this is merely the presently preferred embodiment thereof, and that I do not mean to be limited to the particular structure of the device illustrated herein other than as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A combination sales promotional package for childrens products that includes: a substantially rectangular box comprising a bottom and four side walls fabricated from a semi-rigid sheet material, the forwardly disposed side wall thereof formed with an opening and the exterior surface decorated to simulate the appearance of a theater, with the rearwardly disposed side wall of said box having a substantially U-shaped segment cut out from the upper portion thereof and a horizontal slot disposed therebelow; a substantially rectangular top hinged to the upper edge of said forwardly disposed side wall that is divided by a longitudinally extending folding line into first and second portions that may pivot relative to one another on said folding line; an ear extending outwardly from said second top portion that is adapted to removably engage said cut-out segment to hold said top in a peaked theater simulating position, and said ear capable of removably engaging said slot to maintain said first top portion in a box closing position; a first substantially rectangular sheet member disposed in the lower confines of said box parallel to said bottom and vertically spaced thereabove to reinforce said side walls against lateral and longitudinal deformation; a second substantially rectangular sheet member disposed in the upper portion of said box for side Wall reinforcing purposes and parallel to said first member, said first and second members formed with a plurality of longitudinally spaced, vertically aligned openings adapted to removably receive containers of said products that are desired to be held in fixed position in said box; two outwardly extending tongues formed on opposite ends of said second member that project through slots formed in the end walls of said box to maintain said second member at the desired elevation therein; two longitudinally spaced vertical rollers disposed on opposite sides of said side wall opening and rotatably supported in the forwardly disposed portions of said first and second side wall reinforcing and container holding members; crank means to rotate said rollers disposed within the confines of said box and top; and a flexible strip formed with a plurality of longitudinally spaced pictorial representations thereon that extends between said rollers, with said rollers when rotated by said crank means causing said representations to move past said side wall openings in sequence to be viewed from the exterior of said box.

2. A combination sales promotional package for childrens products that includes: a substantially rectangular box comprising a bottom and four side walls fabricated from a semi-rigid sheet material, the forwardly disposed side wall thereof formed with an opening and decorated on the exterior surface to simulate the appearance of a theater; a substantially rectangular top hinged to the upper edge of said forwardly disposed side wall that is divided by a longitudinally extending folding line into first and second portions that may pivot relative to one another on said folding line; means to removably hold said top in a peaked position to simulate the appearance of a theater and to removably hold said top in a box closing position; a first substantially rectangular sheet member disposed in the lower confines of said box in a position parallel to the bottom thereof, and formed with a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings; a plurality of flanges extending outwardly from said member and adhered to the interior surface of said box; a second substantially rectangular sheet member disposed in the upper portion of said box parallel to said first member, said first and second members formed with a plurality of longitudinally spaced, vertically aligned openings adapted to removably receive containers that are desired to be held in fixed position in said box; means to hold said second member at the desired position in said box and substantially parallel to said first member, with said first and second members cooperating to reinforce said box against sidewise and lengthwise deformation during handling; two longitudinally spaced vertical rollers disposed on opposite sides of said side Wall opening and rotatably supported in the forwardly disposed portions of said first and second members; means to rotate said rollers that is at all times situated within the confines of said box; and an elongated strip extending between said rollers and past said opening in said forwardly disposed side wall, said strip having a plurality of longitudinally spaced pictorial representations thereon which visually tell a story when caused to pass before said opening by rotation of said rollers.

3. A combination sales promotional package for childrens products which includes: a substantially rectangular box that comprises a bottom from which four semi-rigid walls extend upwardly, with one of said walls having an opening formed therein; a top hinged to the upper edge of one of said walls; means to maintain said top in a box closing position; a first substantially rectangular member disposed within the confines of said box and positioned parallel to and vertically spaced above said bottom, with the edges of said member in contact with said walls; a second substantially rectangular member disposed within the confines of said box parallel to said first member, the edges of said second member in contact with the interior surfaces of said walls, and said first and second members cooperating to prevent appreciable lateral and longitudinal distortion of said walls; a plurality of containers, with each of said containers removably disposed in pairs of vertically aligned openings formed in said first and second members; two longitudinally spaced vertical rollers rotatably supported by said first and second members and disposed on opposite sides of said wall opening; crank means mounted on said rollers and disposed within the confines of said box; and a strip of flexible material extending between said rollers on which a sequence of longitudinally spaced pictorial representations are reproduced that move past said wall opening for viewing purposes when said crank means is actuated.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,899,241 Marr Feb. 28, 1933 1,995,463 Young Mar. 26, 1935 2,077,047 Kondolf Apr. 13, 1937 2,086,728 Morrow July 13, 1937 2,456,168 Behrens Dec. 14, 1948 2,654,469 Fulmer et al. Oct. 6, 1953 

